Drinking by Young Teens May Set Stage for Addiction

Drinking by Young Teens May Set Stage for Addiction

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Frequent Family Dinners May Protect Against Teen Drug Use

Sometimes it's just the little things that have the greatest impact.

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Ocala National Forest hides many meth makers, says former drug user -- OrlandoSentinel.com

This news article was provided to Raymond G. Ferrero III, Esq. as follow-up to a great briefing and discussion on the topic of "Shake and Bake" Meth Labs, presented at the last Drug Policy Advisory Council meeting on September 10, 2009. This article provides further information on this deadly problem.

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Little Progress in Cutting Drug Use as Treatment Resources Continue to Lag

Little Progress in Cutting Drug Use as Treatment Resources Continue to Lag

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Calif. Seeks Improved Prescription Tracking

Calif. Seeks Improved Prescription Tracking

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Any Drinking Raises Risk of Traffic Accidents, Researchers Say

Any Drinking Raises Risk of Traffic Accidents, Researchers Say

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U.S. - addiction at pandemic levels

BALTIMORE, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Untreated alcohol and drug addiction in the United States remains at pandemic levels, with little change from year to year, an expert says. Victor Capoccia, director of the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap initiative -- a nationwide effort to expand addiction treatment -- says 23 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs, but only one in 10 are treated.
Capoccia says the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows in 2008, 23.1 million persons ages 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem -- consistent with numbers reported in previous years. The most common reason cited by those who wanted treatment but did not receive any was the inability to pay for it.

"The nation is focused on how best to reform our healthcare system.
Access to effective addiction treatment will save billions of dollars over a decade's time compared with the costs and health complications that come with not treating people at all," Capoccia said in a statement.

"Ignoring any disease -- be it addiction, diabetes or hypertension -- is bad medicine and should not be an option in today's healthcare system. Addiction treatment should be fully covered by all insurance plans."

Proposed Accreditation Standards Could Compel U.S. Hospitals to Screen Patients for Addictions

Proposed Accreditation Standards Could Compel U.S. Hospitals to Screen Patients for Addictions

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Florida Teenage Girls Surpass Boys in Recent Alcohol Use

In Florida, females ages 11 to 18 were more likely than males to report past 30-day alcohol use (30.6% vs. 29%) and lifetime use of alcohol (54.9% vs. 51.5%). Males ages 11 to 18 were more likely to report binge drinking, which is defined as having five or more alcoholic drinks in a row in the past two weeks (15.6% vs. 14%). Source: 2008 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey.

Teens' Stories Show How Accessible Drugs Are

Teens' Stories Show How Accessible Drugs Are

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Another Celebrity Overdose - Death DJ AM

Sadly, in an all to familiar story, 36 year old, Adam Goldstein, better known as DJ AM, died from what is now being reported as an overdose from the prescription medication Oxycontin. DJ AM, a recovery success story in entertainment circles, is reported to have relapsed on the powerful painkiller following a plan crash which resulted in him recieving serious burns and painful skin grafts.

Substance Abuse by Florida Lawyer Applicants Draws Social Media Scrutiny from Board of Examiners

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners recently adopted the policy that investigation of social networking Web sites, like Facebook, should be conducted for applicants who, among other reasons, have a history of substance abuse/dependence “so as to ascertain whether they discussed or posted photographs of any recent substance abuse.”

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